Iowa Man Won’t Get $10.6M Malpractice Award

An Iowa man who had been awarded $10.6 million in malpractice case won’t see any of that money.

The Des Moines Register reports that court precedent set while the case was awaiting its second trial prevents Dennis Cawthorn from citing his doctor’s credentialing file.

Cawthorn sued Mercy Medical Center and Dr. Daniel Miulli in 2002 over complications from back surgery. He alleged that the hospital failed to fully investigate Miulli’s qualifications and was negligent in allowing him to perform surgeries. Cawthorn cited Miulli’s credentialing file and, in 2004, was awarded $10.6 million.

Another trial was ordered in 2007 after the Iowa Supreme Court questioned some evidence.

Meanwhile, the state appeals court ruled in 2009 that credentialing files are to be confidential. The Supreme Court reiterated that on Dec. 2.